*** Report on SMBC interview questions from a Cover Letter Library member’s experiences. This is based on Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp (SMBC) Relationship Manager Final Round Interview in Hanoi in 2014. There may be some variations depending on the offices or other new updates to the recruitment practice – so please use this for reference/preparation purposes only ***

Some first bits on the logistics

• • Who’s the lucky company?
    Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation – Hanoi branch

• • For which division at SMBC – Hanoi branch?
    Corporate Banking Department – Non Japanese

• • And for which office?
    Hanoi

• • Which year was this SMBC – Hanoi branch interview?
    2014

• • What’s the formal title of the position you interviewed for?
    Senior Officer – Relationship Manager

• • How were you informed of this SMBC – Hanoi branch interview?
    HR called

• • Were you able to choose the time slot yourself?
    Yes

• • And this interview was therefore…
    In the morning

• • Was this a … ?
    in-person interview

• • Which stage was this SMBC – Hanoi branch interview?
    final round interview

Let’s talk about this final round interview in some details

• • How many separate interviews were in this SMBC final round interview ?
    5

• • How long was each interview?
    30 mins to 1.5 hours

• • How many interviewers were in this SMBC final round interview in total and each interview ?
    5

• • How long was this SMBC final round interview in total?
    About 1 hour

• • Were there any personal / CV-based questions? If yes, what were they?
    The interview was based on CV and personal questions such as what have you done in your previous jobs, why would you like to change the job, what is your expectation about new job.

• • Were there any competencies questions? If yes, what were they?
    Yes. Tell me how you manage the expectation of the customers (especially state officers or SOEs), how you can prioritize the work during your busy time…

• • Were there any technical questions? If yes, what were they?
    Yes. Please briefly describe the current situation of Vietnam’s economy and banking sector in particular. What is your expectation about the economy and banking sector in coming time. What is your opinion on the advantage/disadvantage of foreign banks doing business in Vietnam…

• • Any other weird questions we haven’t covered?
    I had no weird question at that time

• • What was the most difficult / unusual question among these? How did you deal with it?
    All questions I got were quite standard and formal. Nothing was unusual.

• • What was the most unexpected thing about this Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp Interview?
    In previous rounds, I just got normal questions on my CV and my personality. But in final round, the GM asked many macro and micro detailed questions on the economy and banking sector.

• • Did you progress to the next stage?
    Yes

• • How long roughly did it take for you to hear back about this outcome?
    More than 1 month since they had to wait for new approval on new headcount.

• • Via what means did you hear back about this outcome?
    Phone

• • Is there anything you wish you should have known or prepared for prior to this final round interview at SMBC – Hanoi branch?
    The interview questions

• • Overall, out of 10, how would you evaluate your experience of this final round interview with SMBC – Hanoi branch?
    8

• Before you go, is there anything else you think will help other candidates ace this final round interview at SMBC – Hanoi branch?
  To review all updated reports on economy and banking sector, especially on foreign banks’s activities.